The University of Texas System and NASA’s Johnson Space Center have entered into a Space Act Agreement to enhance research collaboration, workforce development, and educational programs related to space exploration and national security.
“It’s an exciting time for the UT System and NASA to come together in new ways because Texas is at the epicenter of America’s space future. It’s an area where America is dominant, and we are committed as a university system to maintaining and growing that dominance,” said UT System Chancellor John M. Zerwas MD.
Vanessa Wyche, Director of NASA’s Johnson Space Center, stated, “NASA’s Johnson Space Center has a long history of working with colleges and universities to help us achieve our human spaceflight missions. We are eager to partner with the UT System to collaborate in vital research and technology development initiatives that will enable us to meet our nation’s exploration goals and advance the future of space exploration.”
The agreement builds on past cooperation between UT institutions and NASA. Notably, 12 astronauts who graduated from UT Austin have spent over 500 days in space collectively. The university’s alumni include Alan Bean, who became the fourth person to walk on the moon in 1969. The UT Medical Branch offers an aerospace medicine residency program while UT Health Houston provides training for astronauts focused on health during space missions. Additionally, UT El Paso works with NASA at its Advanced Manufacturing and Aerospace Center through a Digital Engineering Design Center. At UT San Antonio, NASA funds research that explores hypersonic flow, aerodynamics, and atmospheric science.
UT System’s resources supporting this partnership include centers such as the Center for Space Research at UT Austin; the Texas Advanced Computing Center at UT Austin which supports modeling work in rocket propulsion; the Cybersecurity Manufacturing Innovation Institution at UT San Antonio which addresses protection of satellites from cyber threats; UTRGV’s STARGATE lab located near SpaceX’s South Texas Launch site; as well as other teaching resources across all 13 member institutions.
In addition to partnering with NASA, since 2021 the UT System has collaborated with the U.S. Space Force under a Memorandum of Understanding for advanced research and workforce development.
The system is also increasing engagement with state government. In 2023 lawmakers created the Texas Space Commission which awarded $9.27 million to support orbital object tracking research at UT Austin. In 2025 legislators established the Texas Cyber Command headquartered at UT San Antonio—the first state agency based outside of Texas’ capital city.
Aerospace activity remains significant within Texas: more than 2,100 aerospace companies operate statewide—including major firms such as Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, Boeing, and SpaceX—collectively supporting over 165,000 jobs.
“We’re living through a unique moment where aerospace innovation, national security, economic transformation, and scientific discovery are converging like never before in Texas,” added Zerwas. “UT institutions are uniquely positioned to partner with NASA in building a stronger and safer Texas.”
